Parenting toddlers takes patience, creativity, and more patience. When your toddler doesn’t listen, it’s hard not to yell. Actually, it’s hard not to yell when a child of any age doesn’t listen. The fact that toddlers can’t be reasoned with like a bigger kid or a teen can make you feel like raising your voice is the only option. So in this episode of the iMOM Podcast we share those frustrations and talk about ways to communicate with our littlest loves without yelling.
Being the one who’s in the thick of it, Megan leads the conversation about getting a toddler to listen without yelling. Her sons are 4 and 1. She admits the Italian in her makes it difficult to keep her voice down. Susan has some tips for not yelling when dealing with multiple kids at once. And Abby says she has to do a split-second self-examination to notice if this is really about her or her kids. “Is this a me thing or a them thing?”
We also share some practical ideas for getting a toddler to listen without yelling, like making eye contact, asking your child to turn her body toward you, or moving your finger from her eye to yours to give her a line of sight. We also talk about practicing focused listening, or the ability to tune out other noises and pay attention to one sound, like your voice.
If you’re struggling with your toddler, keeping their stage and development in mind is important. 2- or 3-year-olds can generally process and remember two-step directions. And often, they are so engrossed in what they’re doing that your voice and instructions can’t compete. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you yell now and then. It gives you an opportunity to say, “Mommy got a little worked up. I’m sorry. That’s not the best way to talk to someone you love.” Even our mess-ups can provide opportunities to connect.
Articles We Mentioned
8 Ways to Get Toddlers to Listen Without Yelling
5 Ways to Get Your Toddler to Listen
Is Your Toddler’s Favorite Show Too Much?
Gentle Parenting: A Passing Fad or the Style for You?
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